Child Welfare and Protection Officer Dancesport Scotland: Role Description

Overall Purpose of Role
To promote and provide a safe environment for children and young people involved in Dancesport Scotland by providing advice, guidance and assistance to children, young people, parents/carers and other and to respond appropriately to concerns about the wellbeing of children and young people.

Responsibilities:
• Implement Dancesport Scotland’s Child Wellbeing and Protection policy and procedures
• Monitor and review the policy and procedures to ensure they remain current and fit for purpose.
• Take ownership of the SportScotland Child protection checklist and ensure its annual completion and any follow up actions are completed to ensure that we maintain compliance at all times.
• Raise awareness of the role of the Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer and the Code of Conduct to parents/carers, adults, and children/young people involved in Dancesport Scotland
• Provide advice and/or guidance to children and young people within Dancesport Scotland in relation to all aspects of their wellbeing and what they should expect from their local dance school in relation to the protection and promotion of their wellbeing.
• Ensure council members are kept up to date with any developments and changes that may impact on our local policies and procedures.
• Keep up to date with developments in the field of child protection and safeguarding by attending relevant training.
• Maintain training records of child welfare and protection training for all council members. Ensure that training is up to date and renewed every 3 years as per Sport Scotland requirements. These records will be held by the DS secretary to ensure data protection.
• Induct new council members regarding child protection requirements and ensure that they undertake the child protection awareness training
• Respond appropriately to disclosures or concerns which relate to the wellbeing of a child, including by speaking to and supporting children and young people where necessary.
• Maintain confidential records of reported cases and action taken.
• Build and maintain good relationships with Sport Scotland, Children 1st
and British Dance Council
• Liaise with local statutory agencies including the police and social services, when necessary
Person Specification

Skills:
▪ Excellent and clear communication and interpersonal skills
▪ Strong listening skills and the ability to deal with sensitive situations with integrity.
▪ Ability to carry out assessment about the wellbeing of children and young people
▪ Ability to maintain records in an ordered and confidential manner

Competencies/Training
▪ Attend mandatory training and any other relevant training to fulfil the role of Child Wellbeing and Protection Officer
▪ Challenge behaviour, including breaches the Code of Conduct and respond appropriately through the correct procedures.
▪ An approachable and receptive style with ability to build relationships with club members, parents/carers, children and young people.
▪ The confidence and good judgment to manage situations relating to the poor conduct/behaviour of others towards a child/young person.